Changing Yourself?

by Lillian Humphries

If you could change your personality, how would you change it? I tend to over think just about everything in my life.
So what would I like to change about my personality? I wish I was more humble.
Let’s look at what humble means:

Adjective
1. Not proud or arrogant; modest.
2. Having a feeling of insignificance, inferiority, subservience.
3. Courteously respectful.
Verb
1. To lower in condition, importance, or dignity; abase.
2. To destroy the independence, power, or will of.
3. To make meek: to humble one's heart.

The Bible speaks about being humble:
Matthew 23:12
And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Luke 18:14
I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Romans 12:16
Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
James 4:10
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Also when I read the Bible about being submissive, I picture a meek and humble woman. Soft spoken, always a smile on her face and a kind word for all. A woman who never raises her voice or gets flustered in any circumstance. When the children spill their milk or drop something and it breaks, she gently tells them it is OK and not to worry. My imaginary woman also looks different than I do. She is just few pounds overweight, not heavy and she is medium build and medium height. She isn’t loud and boisterous.
The description in my head is not the one I see in the mirror or hear when I speak. My voice is a lower pitch than I would like it to be. I am heavier than I should be. I am louder than I should be and say things that a humbler woman wouldn’t say. When something drops and breaks or spills, you will find me getting angry and I raise my voice.

But then I read the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31:13-27
13 She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar. 15 She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants. 16 She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard. 17 She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms. 18 She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night. 19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle. 20 She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet. 22 She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants. 25 Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.


I can’t picture this women being quiet and soft spoken. She may be humble, but she is also a person to be reckoned with. She takes care of her own business while taking care of her family and her household. This woman has a strong mind, understands how to negotiate and evidently has great time management skills.
God made me the way I am. Yes, there are things I can change. How I respond to people and situations I find myself in are within my control. But do I really want to be like “so and so”? Then I wouldn’t be me!